Brinkley Carries SU to 28-21 Win Against Louisville

Saturday, November 1

Syracuse, NY

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Louisville

Brinkley had a career-high 166 yards and one touchdown en route the Orange victory against Louisville, 28-21.

Brinkley Carries SU to 28-21 Win Against Louisville

11/1/2008 7:46:43 PM | Football

Syracuse 28, Louisville 21

Syracuse Game Notes
Head Coach Greg Robinson Press Conference Transcript
Syracuse Player Quotes
Louisville Head Coach and Player Quotes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior running back Curtis Brinkley broke the Syracuse single-season record of consecutive 100-yard rushing games with a career-best 166 yards in Syracuse’s 28-21 victory against Louisville in the Carrier Dome. Brinkley has gained more than 100 yards in each of his last five games. He carried the ball a career-high 33 times and scored a touchdown. He moved into 18th on SU's career rushing list with 1,867 yards, surpassing Roger Praetorious’ (1970-72) mark of 1,772 yards.

Senior fullback Tony Fiammetta secured the victory on an eight-yard touchdown catch from senior quarterback Cameron Dantley with 5:18 remaining in the game. It was his first career touchdown for the Orange. Dantley completed 11-of-22 passes for 178 and two touchdowns.

Freshman running back Antwon Bailey and sophomore wide receiver Da’Mon Merkerson each registered career-highs in the victory. Bailey had a career-long 38-yard touchdown run in Syracuse’s second possession of the second half. Merkerson had a career-best three receptions, including a 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter on a fourth-down play. Merkerson’s 68 receiving yards were also a personal-best.

The Orange defense was anchored by senior defensive end Nick Santiago’s career-best 3.5 tackles-for-loss, including a career-best two sacks. Junior defensive tackle Arthur Jones recorded his seventh tackle-for-loss.

Sophomore corner Mike Holmes led the Orange with eight solo tackles and his second fumble recovery of the season. Sophomore defensive end Jared Kimmel forced the fumble for the third time this season.

Louisville received the opening kick and ran 12 plays in 5:58 for the touchdown. U of L’s Vic Anderson capped the scoring drive on a nine-yard touchdown run.

The Orange evened the score after Brinkley sprung over the pile from the two-yard line with 3:05 left in the first quarter. Brinkley registered his fifth touchdown of the season to finish off the six-play, 74 yard drive in 2:52. SU’s scoring drive included a 37-yard catch by sophomore Doug Hogue on a third-and-eight.

Syracuse took the lead in the second quarter on the 38-yard Dantley-Merkerson touchdown connection with 2:03 remaining, capping the 12-play, 89 yard attack in 6:04. The drive was kept alive on third-and-10 from the SU 28-yard line when sophomore receiver Donte Davis pulled in a 16-yard pass. Two snaps later, freshman wideout Marcus Sales moved the chains on a 12-yard catch, down to the Orange 43-yard marker.

Bailey’s 38-yard touchdown scamper increased the Orange’s lead, 21-7, at 10:06 of the third quarter.

Louisville cut into Syracuse’s lead with 1:13 remaining in the third quarter as Joe Tronzo caught a five-yard pass from U of L’s quarterback Hunter Cantwell to make the score 21-14.

The Orange put the game out of reach on the next drive. Brinkley opened with a 45-yard sprint up the right side of the field, bringing the Orange down to the Cardinals’ 22-yard line. Dantley hit Fiammetta in the endzone for the eight-yard, game-winning reception.

On the ensuing drive, Louisville cut the margin to seven, 28-21, on a five-play, 77-yard scoring drive, capped by a 36-yard touchdown reception by Troy Pascley with 3:55 to play. After a Syracuse punt, the Cardinals got the ball back with 49 seconds remaining on their own 39-yard mark. On the first play from scrimmage, Orange safety Bruce Williams picked off Cantwell to seal the Orange victory.

Syracuse will travel to East Rutherford, N.J. next week to take on Rutgers on Saturday, November 8.